Bahrain and France launch celebrations of 50 years strong diplomatic ties

Speaking at the event, Dr Shaikh Abdulla said: “Two countries have been realising common goals in the fields of education, trade, culture, medicine and judiciary.

 Our partnerships are bound to grow stronger by facilitating exchange of visits between officials, academicians and businessmen. 

The global economy is recovering slowly and both countries stand to explore the potentials to further build strong bonds of cooperation.”

The French Ambassador recalled the special bonds of friendship and trust that have linked the two countries, diplomatically for 50 years but much longer historically. 

He recalled the decisive role of Georges Pompidou, then President of the French Republic, in the recognition of the State of Bahrain in 1972.

Paying tribute to the quality of the relationship between the two countries, the Ambassador also spoke of the strategic importance of Bahrain in the region and its often-pioneering role in many areas. 

“The Kingdom of Bahrain’s openness to the world, which has existed for thousands of years, has been further strengthened over the past fifty years, driven by an internationally recognised concern for coexistence between cultures and religions and a strong desire to work for peace and dialogue.

“In these developments, the friendship between France and Bahrain has taken its rightful place,” the French Ambassador recalled, before adding that “France is already ready to stand by Bahrain to build 50 new beautiful years of cooperation with the Kingdom. 

The French Ambassador took the opportunity of the ceremony to announce the many events that will take place during the year 2022 to celebrate the Franco-Bahraini friendship.

These events will all be labelled with the logo of 50 years of diplomatic relations which was unveiled during the ceremony during which several personalities who have embodied this relationship in different fields and for many years were celebrated.

Those who received the medals were Shaikha Haya Rashed Al Khalifa, Jean-Christophe Durand, Jawad Al Hawaj, Jacques Michel, Foud Shehab, Pierre Lombard, Noora Janahi and Luay Kamaluddin.

A medal was presented to them by the Ambassador and by Shaikh Abdulla bin Ahmed Al Khalifa who himself received a medal of honour from the Ambassador. 

Before closing the ceremony and to symbolise the cultural cooperation between the two countries, two young French artists, Arnaud Rothfuss and Marylou Hebert, and two young Bahraini artists, Salman Aljar and Mohamed Aref, unveiled a work of art in four parts, specially made for the occasion.

Once reunited, these four parts form a whole that symbolises the closeness of the two countries and illustrates the actuality and the future of the Franco-Bahraini friendship.

It will be installed at the French Embassy, at the Alliance Française and exhibited at various events during the year 2022.

The ceremony also highlighted the multidisciplinary French presence in Bahrain and the strong historical ties between the two countries.